careers in occupational psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Careers In Occupational Psychology

Mark HollowayChartered Occupational PsychologistDecember 2008

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Is Occupational Psychology?

• Attempts to explain, predict and make improvements to how people experience the workplace in three main ways:

•Their well-being•Their work behaviour•Their attitudes towards work

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Areas Of Interest

• There are four main areas of research and work for occupational psychologists:

Helping Organisations to Change

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Areas Of Interest

• There are four main areas of research and work for occupational psychologists:

Working with Technology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Areas Of Interest

• There are four main areas of research and work for occupational psychologists:

Managing Performance and Careers

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Areas Of Interest

• There are four main areas of research and work for occupational psychologists:

Getting the Right People and Getting the People Right

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Issues In Selection & Assessment

• Are selection decisions rational?• Uncritical acceptance of testing• Are individual differences stable?• Methodological problems• Selection as a social construction• Mutual dishonesty• A new stakeholder

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Rational Decisions?

• Good enough decision making• Good enough on both sides• Decisions made by groups• Bias and distortion

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Uncritical About Tests

• Do tests measure what they purport to?

• Is self report contaminated?• Can we measure internal

processes?

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Individual Differences

• Stability across time• The past predicting the future• Success in different contexts

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Methodology Problems

• Tests developed on students• What happens to rejects?• Lack of critical review by

organisations• Slow to address adverse impact

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

A Social Construct?

• One best way?• Selection defines potential on its

own terms• Selection as an organisational

manifestation

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Mutual Dishonesty

• Contamination from both sides• Putting your best foot forward• How to be good at selection

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

A New Stakeholder

• Power with the organisation• Power with the organisation and

applicant• Test publishers as new

stakeholders

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Training In Occupational Psychology

• 1 year full time/2 years part time• Cost £6000• 20 UK Universities/c600 students• Do you need to be a psychologist?

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Qualifications Do You Need?

• BSc in Psychology (GBR)• BA or BSc in associated disciplines

and some work experience• Related professional qualification

(such as CIPD)

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Experience Will Help?

• Almost anything in a work setting– Management experience– Human resources

• Use of psychometric tests• Selection and recruitment

– Consultancy

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Qualities Do You Need?

• Skills common to most graduates include:

•Literacy•Numeracy•Computer literacy•Information finding skills•Research skills •Measurement skills

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Qualities Do You Need?

• I believe that psychology graduates have an additional range of skills that they may be less aware of. These include:

Scepticism

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Qualities Do You Need?

• I believe that psychology graduates have an additional range of skills that they may be less aware of. These include:

Interpersonal Awareness

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Qualities Do You Need?

• I believe that psychology graduates have an additional range of skills that they may be less aware of. These include:

Pragmatism

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Who Will Employ You ?

• Self-Employed • Public Sector

– Central & Local Government– NHS

• Private Sector– Consultancy Practices– HR & OD Functions

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

What Work Will You Do?

• Training & Coaching• Ergonomics Design/Error Evaluations• Selection & Recruitment

– Psychometric Testing– Assessment Centres

• Change Management– Cultural Change– Staff Evaluations

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

How Much Can You Earn ?

• Public Organisations– Graduate Psychologists (£17-£22,000)– Higher Psychologists (£19-£26,000)– Senior Psychologists (£25-£50,000)

• Private Organisations– £18- £25k : first job– £25-35: second job – £65K-£85k for experienced consultants– £100k + for partners & directors

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Where To From Here?

• Thanks for listening• Finding out more• Taking your interest further

PSYCHOLOGYSCHOOL OF

University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Where To From Here?

• Marika Hooke: Admissions Officer (AE.3.01)• 020 8223 4609• m.hooke@uel.ac.uk

• Jonathan Passmore: Admissions Tutor (AE.3.22)

• 07736 017463• j.passmore@uel.ac.uk

• Mark Holloway: Programme Director (AE.3.21)• 020 8223 4178• m.r.holloway@uel.ac.uk